Nairobi — The youth in Kenya are a worried lot. Unlike in the past, when there was a general sense of security through a shroud of protection around young people, today they are left alone to face life's challenges, some of which are a threat to their sanity and survival.

According to a survey conducted by Centre for the Study of Adolescence (CSA), 62.7 per cent of young people are worried about contracting Aids.

Another big percentage of young respondents - 59.9 per cent - worry about failing in exams.

It is here that the fallacy of education comes to the fore. Contrary to the way education is touted as the key to a better future, many young people who have acquired education and skills but are yet to secure employment are increasingly becoming cynical about education.

"You told us to study hard and get education, but where are the jobs?" is a question that is increasingly posed by young people.

"In engaging the young respondents as we seek answers, we learnt that the youth are questioning the validity of proper education. They, for instance, see people or leaders who never had to work hard in school getting big jobs and they wonder why the contradictions," Ms Onyando says.

The social ills become an even tougher act to follow. According to the survey, young men (41 per cent) are worried about making someone pregnant.

They are also afraid and worried about being sexually abused or physically attacked.

And in light of drug abuse and alcoholism being viewed as one of the greatest detriment to the development of young people, the survey surprisingly shows that the youth are in fact more concerned about their parents or guardians partaking in the same which normally results to violence in the home.

As the survey indicates, 39.3 per cent of the respondents admitted being worried about drinking and drug use in the community. About 24 per cent of them were more worried about their parents drinking and/or drug use.

Clearly, the statistics indicate a confusing scenario for young people who are struggling to either become upright, or simply survive in challenging conditions.

Still, the survey does not only paint a picture of doom and gloom regarding the young generation. Surprisingly, the youths, it seems are very much aware of their rights as children and as young people. Mostly, the young respondents identified the right to education, clothing, shelter, protection, love, health and freedom of association and conscience.

Adverts hook alcohol and drug users

Young people are bombarded with misleading adverts that hook them to drugs and alcohol, the former chairman of the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse in Kenya, Mr Joseph Kaguthi, says.

And, according to a survey, 30.2 per cent of young people in Kenya have tasted alcohol.

By the age of 10, 14 per cent of respondents admitted to have started taking alcohol. About 40 per cent admitted to have taken beer for the first time.

Those who had opted for traditional brews like chang'aa, busaa or mnazi were 20 per cent.

The reasons the youths gave for taking alcohol were also disturbing, with 52 per cent admitting to having taken alcohol for the first time out of curiosity.

About 15 per cent of youths who took part in the study have used drugs.

Youth aware of sex risks

As part of the survey on the youth trends in the country, focus group discussions were carried out to gauge more insight into what the youths really feel about HIV and Aids.

Quite a number of young people observed that the spread of HIV and Aids infections was mainly due to prostitution.

All in all, young people are aware of the risks involved in their sexuality.

Forty six per cent of the young people interviewed in the survey feel they have no chances of getting HIV and Aids while 27 per cent believe they have very low chances.

Some of the reasons they gave for this are diverse.

Sixty one per cent indicated they had never had sex and so had "nothing" to worry about while 21 per cent said they were abstaining from sex.